The Pilgrimage of St. Francis

A 7-day contemplative walking journey through the heart of Italy
for those ready to slow down, reconnect, and shed what no longer serves.

7 Days/6 Nights

~75km Total Distance

Luggage Transfer Available

Historic Agriturismos

Begin the Journey

Move. Reflect. Remember.

Some journeys require you to move: not just in your mind or heart, but physically. One foot in front of the other, mile after mile, carrying only what you need. This is a pilgrimage in the truest sense: walking along the paths St. Francis traveled 800 years ago.

This retreat is for those ready to go all in. It isn’t always comfortable, and it isn’t always easy (but it is transformative in a way that sitting still can’t match). We walk to shed what we’ve been carrying, literally and metaphorically. We walk to leave behind the pressures of performance. We walk to come home.

Beyond the Stroll: A Contemplative Retreat in Italy.

This is a deep-immersion experience for people with curiosity, courage, and readiness for reflection.

The Physical

Walk 10–15 km (6–9 miles) daily over rolling hills and trails. The pace is contemplative, not a race.

The Spiritual

This isn’t a tour: it’s an invitation to notice the sacred in the landscape, in history, and in yourself.

The Emotional

Expect moments of silence, stillness, and honesty. This journey asks you to encounter what arises when the daily distractions are stripped away.

Note: Not ready for the full physical journey? Consider starting with The Way of St. Francis: Florence-Based →.

Movement as Meditation: The Art of Contemplative Walking

We walk a sacred section of the Via di Francesco, using the rhythm of the path as our guide.

Contemplative Walking: Daily walks through the Umbrian countryside invite reflection, stillness, and insight.
Sacred Landmarks: From La Verna to Assisi, we pause at places where seekers have found the holy for centuries (not as sightseeing stops, but as invitations to notice your own inner life).
Radical Simplicity: Carry only a day pack, stay in authentic agriturismos and monasteries, and eat simply and locally.
Evening Integration Circles: Each night we gather to reflect on the day’s journey and what emerged along the way.

Get Early Access for 2026

MEET YOUR GUIDE

I’m Heather. I believe some things can only be learned by walking.

I’ve walked other ancient paths, and I know that moving through the landscape day after day opens space for reflection, insight, and renewal. I won’t tell you what to feel or believe: I’ll hold the container, guide the rhythm, and walk beside you through the wonder, the quiet, and the honesty the path inevitably brings.

The Logistics

What’s Included: 7 days / 6 nights in authentic local lodgings, all meals, luggage transfer (you only carry a day pack), site visits, and full facilitation.

What’s Not: Flights, personal hiking gear, and travel insurance.

The Process: An application and brief call ensure you are physically and emotionally prepared for this journey.

Get Early Access for 2026

FAQS

The Way of St. Francis is a historic pilgrimage route through Umbria and Tuscany, following landscapes, hermitages, and sacred sites connected to St. Francis’s life. It blends nature, silence, and reflection: a path designed for renewal, clarity, and inner guidance.

A contemplative retreat is a purposeful pause from daily life. Instead of filling your days with activities, we slow down, walk in quiet, and practice noticing what arises (allowing the landscape, history, and stillness to do their work).

You should be comfortable walking 10–15 km (6–9 miles) daily over rolling hills. The pace is deliberate and reflective, not competitive.

No. We provide daily luggage transfer between lodgings. You’ll carry only a small daypack with water, a light jacket, and personal essentials. This allows you to focus on the movement, the landscape, and the contemplative walking practice rather than the weight on your back.

We have a support system in place. While the intention is to walk the full section of the Via di Francesco, we are never far from local transport. If you need a rest day or prefer to skip a steep section, we can arrange transport to the next lodging. The pilgrimage meets you where you are.

We stay in authentic Italian agriturismos (working farm estates) and converted monasteries. Each location is chosen for its historic character, local food, and hospitality. Expect clean, comfortable, soul‑filling spaces — intentionally simpler than luxury hotels to honor the spirit of pilgrimage.

No. While we follow the path of St. Francis and visit sacred sites like La Verna and Assisi, this is a spiritual journey open to all backgrounds. The focus is reflection, stillness, and contemplative walking as a method for insight and renewal.

Leave the Noise Behind.

This isn’t just a hike: it’s a rhythmic stripping away of the labels, attachments, and pressures you’ve been carrying. Join the waitlist to receive the 2026 Prospectus, Gear Guide, and full route map. Note: There is no commitment by joining the waitlist.

The Movement: 7 days of guided, intentional walking along ancient paths.
The Support: All-inclusive logistics, luggage transfer, and regional meals.
The Result: A renewed sense of connection, clarity, and presence (both in the world and within yourself).